MESA, AZ: Paul "BJ" Ransbury recently earned his Master CFI-Aerobatic accreditation. BJ, a 12-year veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces, is the chief flight instructor and President of APS Emergency Maneuver Training (www.APSTraining.com) at Mesa's Williams Gateway Airport (IWA).

The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and the International Aerobatic Club (IAC) take pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of Paul BJ Ransbury, the chief flight instructor at APS Emergency Maneuver Training and a resident of Mesa, AZ. Recently, BJ was designated a Master CFI-Aerobatic by NAFI and IAC.

To help put this achievement in its proper perspective, there are approximately 90,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 500 of them have achieved the distinction being a Master CFI thus far. The last eleven national Flight Instructors of the Year were Master CFIs and BJ is one of only 19 Arizona aviation educators to earn this prestigious "Master" title. Additionally, he is one of only eleven Master CFIs nationwide to earn “Aerobatic” accreditation. In the words of FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, "The flight instructor is where the rubber meets the runway. The Master Instructor accreditation singles out the best that the right seat has to offer."

The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA that is earned by candidates through a rigorous process of continuing professional activity and peer review. Much like a flight instructor's certificate, it must be renewed biennially. This process parallels the continuing education regimen used by other professionals to enhance their knowledge base while increasing their professionalism. Simply put, the Master Instructor designation is a means by which to identify those outstanding aviation educators, those "Teachers of Flight," who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community.

Earning this designation is tantamount to having the words summa cum laude emblazoned on an instructor's certificate. These Masters truly represent the crème de la crème of our industry! To publicly recognize these individuals and their noteworthy accomplishments, NAFI will be hosting its "Meet the Masters" breakfasts, to which BJ will be invited, during EAA's AirVenture in Oshkosh and Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland. Any support that can be provided will be appreciated.

NAFI is dedicated to providing support and recognition for America's aviation educators while helping them raise and maintain their level of professionalism. It is also committed to providing a safe and effective learning environment for student pilots. The Association was founded in 1967 and affiliated with EAA in 1995.